THREE world-class marketing and event management leaders have been signed up to ensure Liverpool takes complete advantage of its year as European Capital of Culture.

THREE world-class marketing and event management leaders have been signed up to ensure Liverpool takes complete advantage of its year as European Capital of Culture.

City council leaders spent several months sifting through a stack of applications from candidates across the globe before coming to a decision.

Kris Donaldson, 44, who masterminded the sponsorship campaign for the Sydney Olympics in 2000 has been chosen as director of marketing, with a salary of #100,000.

Born near San Francisco, he will be in charge of developing a new logo for 2008 and finding corporate sponsors.

Former Millennium Dome commercial director Kevin Johnson, 45, will become chief operating officer and will co-ordinate the culture team.

Wirral sports events expert Jason Harborow, 33, who was commercial general manager for the Manchester Commonwealth Games, will take the role of tourism director.

All three will join the Liverpool Culture Company next month.

A culture company insider said: "We needed a top team and we have got just that. We looked internationally and we honestly believe we have got the best people available.

"We have said all along that we are going to hold the best ever Capital of Culture year and we need the best to deliver that."

Mr Donaldson (pictured above), who studied at the University of California, has held a number of high-profile appointments in the market-ing world.

He worked as account executive with a New York advertising company before moving to Australia in 1988 as group account director for Clemenger Advertising.

As marketing manager for the 2000 Olympic Games, he beat a record sponsorship target of $700m.

Mr Donaldson said: "The Sydney Olympics were successful because people embraced the idea.

"I can see lots of parallels with the attitude and enthusiasm of Liverpool people about Capital of Culture."

Newcastle-born father-of-two Mr Johnson (left) began his career path as a teacher in his home city before moving into recreation management.

He was director of operations for the European Figure Skating Championship and marketing director for the National Garden Festival and the British Tourist Authority. As commercial director of the Millennium Dome, he raised #157m in sponsorship - exceeding the target by #7m.

Born in Chorley, Mr Harborow's first job was as a leisure assistant for the town's local authority.

He worked on Manchester's failed Olympic bid under the leadership of Liverpool Culture Company chairman Sir Bob Scott and, at the age of 29, was offered the position of operations director for the Rugby League World Cup staged in five countries with a qualifying tournament in Florida.